Homeless/Displaced Students

General Information

Services for Homeless/Displaced Students

Definition

Any displaced child or youth who is living in a shelter, motel, inadequate trailer or house, is staying temporarily with relatives or friends due to economic hardship or loss of housing, or is living in any other homeless situation has educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Act. This includes students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate primary residence due to a disaster (flood, fire, hurricane, tornado, etc).

Key Provisions

The district has designated a Homeless Education Liaison that ensures that:

Children and youth in homeless situations are identified by school personnel and through the coordination of activities with other entities and agencies.

Students experiencing homelessness enroll, and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.

Families, children, and youth experiencing homelessness receive educational services for which they are eligible including preschool and referrals to health, mental health, dental and other appropriate services.

Parents, guardians and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness are fully informed of all transportation services provided under the McKinney-Vento Act.

Please contact Dr. Carolena Steen, Homeless Liaison for the district for further information.

Students are identified as homeless in a variety of ways. Students may self-disclose their status; parents may inform staff; other school districts may refer families or community agencies (Health Department, Human Services, etc) may initiate the eligibility of a student who may be displaced. Once a student has been determined to meet the McKinney-Vento definition of a displaced individual, the Office of Student Services verifies and certifies the student for reporting purposes. If not already involved, the Community Liaison follows up with the family offering resources and community information. School staff are directed to forward supporting correspondence or documentation to the District Registrar in order to change status in the student information system.